Abstract

We present and discuss the results of a qualitative study aimed at
identifying what role interactive digital technologies could play in
facilitating the participation of communities at risk of exclusion
(particularly migrants and refugees) in cultural and heritage-related
activities. Culture and heritage are known to be key factors in fostering social inclusion, and this has the potential for contributing to
both the wellbeing of these communities and to cultural institutions
themselves. Through surveys and interviews with two cohorts of
participants (cultural heritage professionals and community facilitators), we gathered insights about their perspectives on how ICT
tools could support their work with and for communities, as well
as the challenges they face. This work sheds light on the opportunities and barriers surrounding the use of digital technologies for
participation in the cultural heritage sector, which is timely due
to the increasing focus on grassroots and community-led heritage
initiatives and to the growing body of work on participatory ICT
in disciplines such as human-computer interaction and community informatics.